To import bank statements into QuickBooks, either connect your bank directly through QuickBooks bank feeds, or upload a QBO/CSV file containing your transaction data. For PDF or scanned bank statements, use a converter like Lido to extract the transactions and export a QuickBooks-compatible file first. For more on this topic, see our guide on scanning invoices into QuickBooks.
In this tutorial, we will walk you through how to import bank statements into QuickBooks using Lido. Simply follow the steps below.
Before you start, make sure you have your bank statement saved as a PDF, image, or scanned copy. Most banks let you download PDF statements from the statements section of online banking.
If you don't have a Lido account yet, you can create one for free here.
Once you're logged in, create a New File.
Select the Extract Data button at the top of the sheet.
Upload your file by dragging and dropping it into Lido, or click to browse. Lido reads statements from any bank, including scanned paper statements.
For the purpose of this tutorial, we will be using a sample bank statement.
Enter Date, Amount, and Description as your columns. These match the three-column format QuickBooks uses for bank transaction uploads.
In Extra Instructions, add "Extract each transaction as a separate row. Format dates as MM/DD/YYYY and show withdrawals as negative amounts." This prevents the two most common QuickBooks import errors. Once done, click Process All Files.
Review the extracted transactions to make sure they're in the format you need. You can edit cells, adjust column widths, or reorganize the data to suit your workflow.
Click Export to Excel to download your transactions. Open the file in Excel, go to File, then Save As, and choose CSV as the file type.
In QuickBooks Online, go to Banking (or Transactions, then Bank transactions) and choose Upload transactions from the Link account menu. Select your CSV file and the bank account the transactions belong to.
When QuickBooks asks you to map columns, match Date, Description, and Amount to your file's columns and select the MM/DD/YYYY date format.
Your transactions now appear in the For Review tab. Categorize each one or match it to existing records, then click Accept to add them to your books.
Depending on your bank and your statements, these options may also work:
Direct bank feed: In QuickBooks Online, use Link account to connect your bank and sync transactions automatically. It works with most large US banks, but it usually only pulls about 90 days of history and can't import old statements, closed accounts, or client-provided PDFs.
QBO (Web Connect) file: Some banks let you download a .qbo file from online banking. Upload it in QuickBooks Online under Upload transactions, or in QuickBooks Desktop under File, then Utilities, then Import, then Web Connect Files. If your bank doesn't offer one, you'll need a PDF to QBO converter.
CSV download from your bank: Many banks offer CSV transaction downloads. This works for recent transactions, but it doesn't cover older statements, scanned paper statements, or statements your clients send you.
For accountants and bookkeepers working with client statements, extracting the data with Lido is usually the fastest option, since it works with any bank and any statement date.
If your import doesn't go through, check these common causes:
"The file format is incorrect": QuickBooks doesn't recognize the file structure. For CSV files, remove any extra rows above the column names. For QBO files, check the OFX header version.
Date format errors: QuickBooks in the US expects MM/DD/YYYY. Reformat dates like DD/MM/YYYY or YYYY-MM-DD before importing.
Duplicate transactions: These appear when your file overlaps with transactions already in QuickBooks from a bank feed or an earlier import. Check your file's date range before uploading.
Wrong account: Make sure the account you select during upload matches the account number on the statement.
For more tools, see our guide to the best bank statement converters.
Now that you know how to import bank statements into QuickBooks, you can get any statement into your books without typing transactions by hand.
QuickBooks can't read PDF files directly, so convert the statement first. Upload the PDF to Lido, extract the Date, Description, and Amount columns, and save the result as a CSV file. Then upload it in QuickBooks Online under Banking and Upload transactions.
QuickBooks can connect to supported banks through bank feeds for automatic syncing. For unsupported banks, older statements, or client-provided statements, you need to upload a QBO, OFX, or CSV file. PDF statements must be converted first.
QuickBooks accepts QBO (Web Connect), CSV, and in some versions QFX and OFX files. QBO files map automatically, while CSV files need a quick column mapping step during upload.
In QuickBooks Desktop, go to File, then Utilities, then Import, then Web Connect Files, and select your QBO or OFX file. Choose the destination bank account when prompted. QuickBooks Desktop also supports direct bank feeds for ongoing syncing.
There is no date limit when you upload a QBO or CSV file. Direct bank feeds usually only pull the last 90 days, so older statements need to be converted and uploaded as a file.
Common causes include using a PDF instead of a QBO, OFX, or CSV file, dates not in MM/DD/YYYY format, extra rows above the column names, or duplicate transactions from an earlier import. Extracting your statement with Lido and the instructions in this guide avoids these issues.
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